SWS CH 20

Chapter 20

His actions were full of questions.

In the original story, he had never even acknowledged that single night. So why was he suddenly curious about what happened that night now?

“A temptress and a mad swordsman. That’s a fresh combination, isn’t it? I’m a mad swordsman who enjoys rebelling.”

“Stop joking.”

“There’s more than that.”

“Then what is it? At least tell me the reason before making me stay.”

“When you feel like talking, I’ll think about answering.”

But Docep gave no clear answer and left.

And just like that, I entered this family without shedding a drop of blood.

***

After Docep left, I clung to Junel and fumed for quite a while. At some point, I ended up dozing off in the reception room.

Someone shook me awake.

“Get up.”

It was a maid.

“Do you even know where you’re sleeping? This is why uneducated people show it so clearly.”

A maid muttering insults under the guise of talking to herself.

This was practically a romance-fantasy possession cliché.

If I’d been possessed into a proper romance fantasy, it would’ve been better. A veteran housewife like me could easily crush so-called villainesses.

But the unexpected change in the male lead had my head spinning too. Docep was supposed to be pure and kind, someone who would diligently train in swordsmanship and awaken just as I guided him, following Junel’s advice…

Everything had gone wrong.

“Ugh. Look at that drool mark. Wipe your mouth.”

I wiped my mouth with my sleeve and looked at the maid.

Plain brown hair and sharply slanted eyes.

“What’s your name?”

“Geti. Remember it.”

A typical maid name that sounded like it had been thrown together on the spot.

Feeling oddly sorry for her, I looked at her with sad eyes. She immediately glared back.

“Don’t tell me you think you can order me around now that you’ve become the second young master’s mistress?”

“Mistress? Is that what the Duchess calls me?”

I didn’t really care, but I was curious.

I didn’t even know what position I held in this family myself.

“If you’re not the young master’s mistress, then what are you? You’re the village temptress.”

That wasn’t an unreasonable assumption.

“Fine. Call me that. I don’t mind. So now that I’m living here, what am I supposed to do?”

“Follow me.”

At my compliant attitude, Geti crossed her arms and led the way. I gently picked up Junel, who was sleeping soundly, and followed her.

Unlike the way we had come in, we walked toward the end of the corridor, passing grand pillars.

Beyond them stretched green lawns and gardens that were breathtaking even at night.

As I walked, dazed by the scenery like a painting, Geti suddenly stopped.

Compared to the main residence, it was less flashy, but still dazzlingly luxurious inside.

“Pick any room you want in here.”

“Any room? Really, anywhere?”

“Yes. You weren’t expecting the Duchess to personally prepare your room, were you?”

“Not at all.”

I was just surprised.

Being told to choose any room in such a vast, luxurious mansion felt like being handed a blank check.

“Geti!”

Another maid called out to her from afar. Geti waved back and turned to me.

“Pick a room for now. I don’t know if I’ll make it in time, but I’ll bring you dinner.”

“Okay, thanks.”

Just hearing her name over and over had made me hungry, so that worked out.

Geti left with the other maid, and I was left alone in the wide corridor.

It seemed to be a building where neither the Duke and Duchess nor the young masters lived, as there were no guards.

Aside from the maid I’d seen earlier, only a few servants passed by, busy with their own work.

Perfect. I can tour the mansion comfortably.

Still holding Junel, who was fast asleep, I opened the first room.

She said I could use any room, so I really could do whatever I wanted.

***

Even late at night, the lights in the study were still on.

Unable to sleep, Francesca poured herself another glass of wine and rested her chin on her hand.

What had happened today was no ordinary incident for the family.

It was the historic day the Bloodymary family, one of the Four Heroic Houses, brought in a commoner as a daughter-in-law.

She had expected conflict among the brothers.

She thought Docep, with his pride, would surely push back if his brother provoked him.

Nikolai’s reaction had been exactly as expected. With the Duke absent, he believed he was responsible for the family and tried to drive Docep out.

But Docep was different.

“Brother”… He definitely called him brother.

Had Docep ever called Nikolai that before?

She thought carefully, but no. Never once. Nor had he ever shown such composure in front of Nikolai.

Come to think of it, he even properly called me “Mother.”

The son who had always rebelled even changed into clean clothes at Francesca’s request.

He was clearly different from before.

Why?

Could it be because he was afraid she might harm Halara?

That was possible, but—

Docep is a father now.

That explanation made more sense.

People don’t change easily, but once they have something to take responsibility for, they do. To be honest, she couldn’t say she felt no regret about bringing Halara in, but seeing her son change, it didn’t seem like a completely wrong decision.

If only he could also get along with Nikolai and Helbern…

Bang!

“Oh my!”

The head butler burst in, shattering the silence.

“Madam, the first young master has sent a letter to the Lord.”

Francesca’s heart sank.

“Nikolai actually did it!”

Her voice cracked.

“I tried to stop him, but Sir Nilson said it was urgent and left on horseback.”

“This is bad. If he finds out now, it’s the end for Docep and the family!”

He must not find out yet.

This wasn’t just Docep’s problem.

Docep would be cast out, and the fragile family they had barely held together would completely collapse.

She wanted to avoid that at all costs.

No matter how disappointing her son was, she wanted to give him a chance. She wanted to keep him within the family somehow. She couldn’t bear to see her family fall apart like this.

“Butler! Why did you just watch? Go now! Send knights if you have to! Stop him by any means!”

“Madam, I don’t think you need to worry.”

As Francesca struck his back in anger, the butler dodged and added,

“What do you mean?”

“Second Young Master Helbern went after him.”

“…Helbern did?”

For a moment, she thought she had misheard.

“Yes. Young Master Helbern followed him.”

Even the butler looked bewildered.

“Then what are we waiting for? I can’t face the Lord like this! I’ll go myself—”

“No. I’ll go.”

As the butler fretted while watching Nilson’s figure disappear, Helbern suddenly appeared.

“Pardon? Young Master Helbern?”

“Yes.”

“But the message Nikolai sent must have been asking the Lord to stop Docep’s marriage…”

Helbern wiped his nose.

“Exactly.”

“But… you oppose the marriage, don’t you?”

“Well, yes, but… not right now. I’ve got business with that woman.”

“…What?”

“If I delay any longer, I won’t catch him. I’m going!”

Leaving behind words no one could fully understand, Helbern chased after Nilson.

“He’ll probably catch up and stop him.”

“Why would Helbern do that?”

“I’m wondering the same.”

It made no sense.

Just hours ago, hadn’t he tried to kill Halara?

“Perhaps he’s looking forward to his future niece or nephew? Even if he doesn’t get along with the second young master, a child is a different matter.”

“No. Helbern doesn’t even know she’s pregnant.”

They hadn’t told Helbern. His mouth was too loose.

Until the Duke returned, they wanted to keep this as quiet as possible.

Though they called it a marriage, the real reason they brought Halara in was to ensure the Bloodymary bloodline continued in a safe environment.

Afterward, Francesca planned to ask her family to grant Docep a small territory. If the two were still in love, they could live there, even have a modest wedding.

She’d told Nikolai about the pregnancy out of necessity, but she intended to keep it from Helbern.

So why would Helbern block Nikolai?

Helbern, who admired his eldest brother and followed his words as if they were their father’s.

“Either way, this works out for us. If Helbern is on our side, we’re safe until the Lord returns.”

“Yes, but…”

Only then did Francesca relax her tense expression.

“What about the girl?”

“A maid guided her to the annex. She should be resting.”

“I hope Docep doesn’t feel hurt that I told her to use the annex.”

She had anticipated conflict if she stayed in the main residence with Nikolai and Helbern.

“She was told to choose any room she liked. The young master will understand.”

The butler reassured her.

****

Last night.

After choosing a room I was extremely satisfied with, I fell asleep almost immediately.

“What is this place?!”

Junel, who finally woke up in the morning, reacted dramatically.

“Where is this storage room?!”

He fluttered around, looking serious, his voice cracking.

“Was I imprisoned while I slept? Those arrogant Bloodymary fools! Just because they like Halara as a daughter-in-law, they lock her up so she won’t run?!”

“Calm down, Junel.”

“Does this look like a situation where I can calm down? I’ll break the door right now!”

“No, absolutely not!”

I grabbed his tiny body tightly, afraid he’d cause trouble.

Junel flailed and smacked my fingers with his tiny hands.

“This isn’t a storage room, and I’m not imprisoned.”

“Then what is this place?!”

“This is Bloodymary. This is my room from now on. What do you think? Isn’t it great?”

I spread my arms proudly, showing off the room.

Unlike Junel, I was beaming.

I had chosen this room very carefully.

It had been abandoned for a long time, with cobwebs and dust everywhere, but I loved it.

“My room? They gave you such a shabby room?”

“Shabby?”

“I picked it myself. Look at this view. Isn’t it amazing?”

The room was large enough to fit three of Halara’s old houses, with an attached bathroom. Through the large window, the garden was visible.

Junel glanced toward the window, then grimaced.

“It looks like a graveyard.”

“It does not.”

“Halara, think again. There are so many better rooms here. How can you plan your future in a place like this?”

There were plenty of better rooms.

They were huge, each with luxurious beds and canopies. Chandeliers so ornate they hurt your eyes, walls decorated with gold.

If I were a cute young girl possessed into a novel, I would have chosen the best room without hesitation.

But I had already lived through harsh in-law life.

I knew better than anyone that taking something beyond your station always comes with a price.

My mother-in-law tortured me endlessly just because she gave us an apartment when we got married.

Those days had been unbearable.

To me, this place was no different.

Besides, people won’t come here often.

This room was still far better than Halara’s old house.

“I like it here. Dirt can be cleaned. The furniture’s usable.”

“I’m too old to draw much power in a corner like this…”

“I’m actually amazing at cleaning. You go enjoy the sword energy for a bit. I’ll make this place so clean it’ll shock you. That sofa can be yours, okay?”

I pointed at the sturdy sofa I’d slept on all night.

The color had faded with age, but if cleaned properly, it could last another ten years.

Junel looked deeply disappointed.

“There are so many good things in Bloodymary…”

“Alright, I’m going to find cleaning tools.”

Ignoring his complaints, I left the room.

But where did Geti go? She said she’d bring food.

After walking around for a while, I finally spotted a maid.

“Excuse me!”

At my call, the maid who was cleaning a window turned around.